The Jenny Craig diet - a 14 day trial

The diet has started. Yes this may be the millionth time I have declared this so far this year, but this time I’m serious, it really does start here (gulp!).

It’s no secret that I’m desperate to lose my baby weight. I have blogged about it before and those of you who follow me on Twitter will know that I’m constantly harping on about it on there too. So when my good friend and fellow blogger Real Suburban Mummy told me that Jenny Craig were looking for people to do a 14-day trial and review their diet programme I jumped at the chance.

Pregnant with the Little dude.

About the Jenny Craig diet programme

Jenny Craig is a diet programme which combines one-on-one consultations with diet food delivered to your door. This means that the food isn’t just sent to you but you also get your very own consultant who, once a week, over the phone will spend time with you to motivate and guide you through the programme. Not only that, but the programme is also tailored to suit you and help you reach your personal goals, whatever they may be. The great thing about this programme is, not only should you lose weight in a healthy way, but it also teaches you about food and your eating habits meaning that when you have finished the programme you should be able to look at food and they way you eat in a positive, sensible way.

Starting out

You’ve seen the advert right? You know the one. The one where former Spice Girl Mel B talks about wanting to be all “doik doik doik doik” when she walks? Well I want to be like that too. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Godzilla, but after baby number two I’m not as light as I’d like. Little dude is nearly five months old and actually I’m doing ok. I put on the best part of three stone over the course of my pregnancy. A lot dropped off in the weeks following his birth, and I only have 8lb to go before I’m pre-pregnancy weight. But that 8lb isn’t going anywhere in a hurry. I have been doing another well known diet, one that involves a lot of milkshakes. I’m quite active and work out at least three times a week, yet the weight just won’t shift.  I’m looking forward to trying a diet where I actually get to eat proper food and (hopefully) shed those last pesky pounds. I simply want to feel comfortable in my own skin again.

So, after an initial email to check I would be right for the trial I was told that I would receive a phone call from a Jenny Craig advisor. Last Wednesday I received a call from James at Jenny Craig. James, who I must say was very friendly and enthusiastic spent time getting to know me and pinpointing my goals. He asked my weight, how much I wanted to lose, and about my activity levels so that the programme could be tailored to me. We then got down to business, the food! He asked me what food I’d like to receive. In the interest of this review I have decided to try the lot. Finally, we arranged a delivery date for my food and scheduled a time for my personal consultant to give me a call.

My 14-day supply of food arrived as scheduled last Friday. The box was massive, when I opened it I was surprised at just how much food it contained, although I also clocked quite quickly how small the portions are compared to what I am used to. Along with the food is a binder explaining how the diet works, along with information on portion control and explanations about why you may have the eating habits that you do, as well as a ‘grocery list’ to help you make sensible choices when food shopping, and a weekly menu, put together by dietitions, which tell you what you will be eating each day. The diet is fairly simple; you are provided with breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. You simply follow the set menu that is provided for you. It’s important that you stick to the menu as each day’s food has been picked so that is nutritionally balanced.

Opening the hamper.

My planned menu.

A selection of the breakfasts.

A selection of lunches.

A selection of dinners.

The snacks.

On Monday I received a call from my personal consultant, Angela, who talked me through the programme and how it works. You are encouraged to add fruit and vegetables to your meals to bulk them out, and hopefully reduce the need to pick in between meals. All non-starchy vegetables (carrots, green beans, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber etc) are ‘Unlimited Foods’, meaning you can eat as much as you like. ‘Unlimited Foods’ include; most vegetables, herbs, tomato ketchup, fat-free salad dressing, and yay for me Diet Coke, and sugar-free jelly should you fancy something sweet. There are also ‘Limited Foods’, including; fruit, jam, honey, boiled sweets, chutney, pickle, and hot chocolate. You are allowed three servings of ‘Limited Foods’ a day.

Angela was very friendly and helpful and I already feel I can confide in her, she will be calling me again in a week for a ‘weigh-in’ and to discuss any problems and answer any questions I may have. Though, it is made clear that I can call the call centre at any time.

So that’s the technical side done, now to actually start!

Day One: Monday February 27.

I swear my body knew it was starting a diet today as I woke up with the most intense craving for chocolate. Luckily for me breakfast this morning was chocolate wheatflakes, these were very Special K-esque. I am not a big lover of milk so I substituted my milk allowance with a low-fat yoghurt (Angela confirmed that it was ok to do this). The flakes were very tasty and I felt satisfied afterwards.

My first Jenny Craig breakfast.

Come lunchtime I was starving (though I hadn’t felt the need to snack all morning). I must admit I wasn’t looking forward to lunch ‘Mashed potato with peas and carrots’, the mash is powdered and you simply add boiling water. I was fully prepared to hate it, but actually was pleasantly surprised, despite vaguely resembling vomit it tasted good. It was full of flavour and I was comfortably full afterwards.

Dinner was Beef Casserole with potato and carrots. This was easy to prepare, simply heat on the hob, and took about 10 minutes. I also prepared a portion of green beans to accompany it. Another tasty meal, which actually tasted homemade. Again, I was comfortably full when I had finished.

Dinner a la Jenny Craig.

Snack-wise today I have had a plum and a Jenny Craig Chocolate Digestive bar, the bar was very yummy and I know that if will-power was to leave me I would happily scoff five at a time… but I won’t! I am allowed another snack of fruit after my main meal, but I don’t feel it’s needed today.

So, that’s day one down and I’m feeling positive. The only thing I am struggling to get my head around at the moment is, how can I lose weight while eating what seems to be so much? Time will tell I guess…

I will be posting as I go on this, so do please keep checking in to see how I’m doing.

Be afraid you 8lbs, be very afraid!

Please note: Jenny Craig have kindly provided me with 14 days-worth of food in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own. If you have any questions please do leave a comment and I’ll answer honestly, as quickly as I can.